Irish soldier charged with possessing cocaine valued at between £50,000 to £60,000

A soldier in the Irish Army has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with possessing cocaine valued at between £50,000 to £60,000.

Caolan Larkin (30) of Galgomna Road in Draperstown, Co. Derry faced three charges.

He was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply on September 19, possessing the drugs on the same date and possessing a quantity of cannabis again on the same date. 

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 

He told the court that police attended an address in Draperstown due to information in relation to drugs and forced entry. 

Inside they found 1.2kgs of suspected cocaine and a quantity of cannabis.

They also seized a number of items including two mobile phones and a laptop. 

They also found postal receipts for Portugal.

When he was interviewed Larkin made partial admissions and said that 'some of the cocaine' was his.

He refused to answer questions about where he had got it from. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of flight as the officer said Larkin had links to the Republic and also the risk of re-offending due to the need to recoup the losses. 

Defence solicitor Stephen Atherton asked the officer had Larkin come to police attention previously and was told he hadn't. 

He added his client had spent seven years in a life 'dedicated to public service' in the Republic.

The solicitor said that he believed his client could be managed on bail by conditions. District Judge Barney McElholm said he felt that the bail application was 'premature' while the investigation was ongoing.

He said that there were clearly others involved in the find and they could belong to an organised crime gang. 

He refused bail and Larkin was remanded in custody to appear again on October 18.